Rooster trying to kill us

[FunClucks]

I've heard that Faverolles roosters are docile and gentle. Also Jersey Giant roos, but they're too big for my flock (half my hens are 3-4 lbs). I think maybe I'll try a Faverolles next. We've had a RIR for 8-9 months now, and no signs of problems until recently.

There are a number of breeds out there that are docile or at least laid back. Might try a roo from one of them.

ETA: And an all-hen flock is a great idea too, if you don't really need or want a rooster. The head hen will usually step up and perform most of the rooster duties, except for fertilization.

 

[lillyahoo]

I've heard that Faverolles roosters are docile and gentle. Also Jersey Giant roos, but they're too big for my flock (half my hens are 3-4 lbs). I think maybe I'll try a Faverolles next. We've had a RIR for 8-9 months now, and no signs of problems until recently.

There are a number of breeds out there that are docile or at least laid back. Might try a roo from one of them.

Buff Orpingtons are generally very sweet - the rooster in my avatar picture is a Buffie cross from 4 generations in my flock. All of them have been extremely docile toward people but very good at flock guarding.

I'm done with Barred Rock roosters.

 

[Jurassic_Bawk]

I guess I'm in the minority when it comes to the definition of dangerous animal, the actual chance of losing an eye to your rooster, and the acceptable responses to their aggression. My experience is much like @gimmie birds. The more you try to "fight" a rooster, the more they will fight back. Hitting them or kicking them makes them hate you.

Eye (pun!) wouldn't risk it. OP was just defending themselves and the injuries that roosters can cause are no joke. The rooster below was VERY close to causing a serious eye injury. I agree that actively trying to fight them probably increases aggression, but protecting yourself when the rooster randomly attacks you is a different story. That being said I would have this roo in a soup pot.

 

[teriyakigran]

If he's going for your face you need to eat him before someone loses an eye.

EXACTLY... we showed our ill tempered rooster some love last year and harvested and ate him on Valentines Day... chicken -n- noodles that day...

I'd raised him from 3 days old - tried so hard to prevent the aggressive behavior towards humans - but a few months later I lucked into a little Silky rooster that is mild-mannered yet protective of the hens- so there ARE some out there - they're a lesser percentage of the roosters though, sadly. I treasure my current little Napoleon!

 

[Amy2214]

Hey everyone! I need some advice.

I have a 9 month old barred rock rooster who has never been quite nice. We used to have to go into the coop with a stick and now my chickens free range during the day and he attacks me and my husband when the hens run over to us. He's gotten us a few times very unexpectedly. I guess I kinda know what the answer will be, but other than this, he's a good rooster. He chased a hawk away the other day. Gets along with the bantam rooster. Doesn't pick on my turkey. Doesn't attack the goats or dogs, just me and my husband. The hens all listen and stay with him. He is fabulous protection.

Today he flew at my head and I had to throw my hot coffee at him, and then my BBW turkey got between us and got him away from me and then they got into a tussle. Last week I had to hit him with a plastic end table because he came at me and I had nothing nearby. I'm potty training a puppy right now and run out and forget to grab the rake on the porch and then I'm SOL.

I've had all of these chickens since March. I raised this rooster since he was days old and handled him a bunch. I am a vet tech and have been for 20 years, I'm kind of hardwired to help things and not hurt them, so this has been difficult to deal with.

Is there any undoing this? Any advice?View attachment 3371812View attachment 3371818

Our Roo was getting nasty with our daughter when she would go in to feed or clean the coop, he would be chasing her and tormenting. We got a large spray bottle and filled it with water and whenever he's getting aggressive we give him a squirt and he's be just fine ever since.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Our Roo was getting nasty with our daughter when she would go in to feed or clean the coop, he would be chasing her and tormenting. We got a large spray bottle and filled it with water and whenever he's getting aggressive we give him a squirt and he's be just fine ever since.

Rooster is already gone, I believe

 

[FunClucks]

Buff Orpingtons are generally very sweet - the rooster in my avatar picture is a Buffie cross from 4 generations in my flock. All of them have been extremely docile toward people but very good at flock guarding.

I'm done with Barred Rock roosters.

He's gorgeous!!! I've had a two BO hens (one died shortly after POL), but no BO roosters yet.

 

[KBaker71]

Hey everyone! I need some advice.

I have a 9 month old barred rock rooster who has never been quite nice. We used to have to go into the coop with a stick and now my chickens free range during the day and he attacks me and my husband when the hens run over to us. He's gotten us a few times very unexpectedly. I guess I kinda know what the answer will be, but other than this, he's a good rooster. He chased a hawk away the other day. Gets along with the bantam rooster. Doesn't pick on my turkey. Doesn't attack the goats or dogs, just me and my husband. The hens all listen and stay with him. He is fabulous protection.

Today he flew at my head and I had to throw my hot coffee at him, and then my BBW turkey got between us and got him away from me and then they got into a tussle. Last week I had to hit him with a plastic end table because he came at me and I had nothing nearby. I'm potty training a puppy right now and run out and forget to grab the rake on the porch and then I'm SOL.

I've had all of these chickens since March. I raised this rooster since he was days old and handled him a bunch. I am a vet tech and have been for 20 years, I'm kind of hardwired to help things and not hurt them, so this has been difficult to deal with.

Is there any undoing this? Any advice?View attachment 3371812View attachment 3371818

I could be going out on a limb here, but we had an aggressive rooster. I got tired of it, and every time he would come at me, I would try to catch him, and then cuddle him and hold him, basically showing him that I'm stronger than him, but also showering him with kindness. My husband however got attacked frequently and always fought back. I kind of felt like the rooster was looking for a fight, and since I wouldn't give him one, he left me alone. Just a thought.

 

[Judy Todd]

If you're throwing hot coffee on your rooster, you should get rid of him for his good, not yours. I'm glad you don't work for my vet.

Wow, she is asking for help. Be kind!!! It's never easy to put down a chicken you have raised from day one.

 

[Iluveggers]

If you or anyone else want to judge me and my ability to do my job or my compassion for animals on this post, you go right ahead.

Nobody has made such a judgement.

You absolutely did. There was no reason to bring up the fact that I was a vet tech in your post. Zero.

I was going to just read and be done, but I can’t. Being attacked by a rooster is scary. Being attacked multiple times even worse.

I read a lot of judgmental and hurtful posts. @Shadrach doesnt sugar coat, but I can’t see what the heck was offensive. I am a teacher. If I wrote something online saying “I can’t deal with obnoxious kids that don’t listen to me”, I would not be offended if someone expected me to be better with student behavior than the average person. Expecting you might have some background with animal behavior is somehow offensive?

In your original post, you only mentioned being attacked when feeding your hens. That is what Shadrach referred to in his behavior information. I am sorry for what you are going through, and I’m sure you must be overwhelmed with stress. I also commend you for helping out with abused animals. People trying to help you online to keep your rooster with behavior modification ideas are not your enemies. I hope you figure things out, and good luck with your rescues.